From St. Julian’s: Jet Ski Safari to the South of Malta

Malta’s south is usually explored by boat, bus, or car. This 90-minute jet ski safari gives you a much faster, wetter view, starting in St. Julian’s and running past Valletta Grand Harbour, Marsaskala, Delimara, and the paired bays of il-Ħofriet. I like the route’s variety and the fact that each person gets a jet ski, rather than sharing one machine. I also like the safety setup, with an instructor and support boat present throughout.

The main consideration is price. At $241 per person, this is a costly 1.5-hour activity, and you must also bring €100 in cash per jet ski for the refundable security deposit. Rough water around the harbor can add to the excitement, but it may not suit you if you dislike motion, have back or heart problems, or simply want a calm boat ride.

Key points at a glance

• A rare southern route: Ride beyond the usual St. Julian’s waters toward Valletta, Marsaskala, Delimara, and il-Ħofriet.
• Your own jet ski: The price includes one jet ski per person, fuel, insurance, and safety equipment.
• A small, guided outing: Groups are limited to six, with an English-speaking instructor leading the route.
• Safety boat included: A support boat stays with the activity from start to finish.
• Cash deposit required: Bring €100 per jet ski, payable in cash at the base and refundable under the operator’s conditions.
• Adults only: Drivers must be at least 18, show a passport or ID card, and arrive 15 to 20 minutes early.

Why this route is different from a standard jet ski ride

Many jet ski outings stay close to the resort coast. This one is designed as a point-to-point coastal trip, though you return to the same base in St. Julian’s. The draw is not only speed. You get a changing view of Malta’s shoreline, from the working entrance to Valletta’s Grand Harbour to the rougher cliffs and bays farther south.

The route is also unusually ambitious for a 90-minute outing. You will not stop for a long beach visit or spend half the session listening to a safety talk on shore. The time is built around riding, following the guide, and taking in the coast from the water.

That makes this a good match for you if you want an active excursion that fits into a morning. It is less suitable if your main goal is swimming, sunbathing, or a relaxed cruise with drinks and snacks.

Meeting the instructor at St. Julian’s

The departure point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. The address is 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s.

Allow extra time to find the jetty. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground. That line leads to the jetty where the boats and jet skis are kept.

You need to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. This matters because the activity leaves at 10:00 AM for the stated morning departure, and late arrival can mean missing the group. Bring a passport or identity card. Drivers must show a valid legal identification document, and failing to do so means losing the trip without a refund.

The English-speaking instructor handles the briefing and leads the ride. The group limit is six people, which is small enough for the guide to keep the formation under control. A minimum of two participants is needed to operate the booking, so this is not an outing designed for a solo reservation with no other participants.

Getting comfortable on the jet ski

Each person receives a jet ski rather than sharing with another participant. Fuel, a life jacket, and fully comprehensive insurance are included. The support boat remains with the group throughout the activity, an important point when the route moves away from the sheltered resort area.

You do not need to be an expert. The experience is described as suitable for beginners as well as experienced riders, and the instructor leads the group. Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. You will need to follow instructions, stay with the group, and manage a powerful machine on open water.

Wear comfortable clothes and swimwear, and bring a towel. Comfortable shoes are useful, but sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Bring cash for the deposit, and consider motion sickness prevention if you are prone to nausea. Alcohol, drugs, and intoxication are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks cannot be taken in the vehicle.

The €100 cash deposit is required for each jet ski. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for this payment. The machines are fully comprehensively insured, but you may still be liable for the insurance excess if there is an accident, loss, or damage. Read that condition carefully before you ride, particularly because the headline price does not include the deposit.

Passing Valletta Grand Harbour

Once the group leaves St. Julian’s, one of the major visual moments is the passage by Valletta Grand Harbour. This is not a sightseeing stop with time to go ashore. You see the harbor from the water while continuing along the route, so the experience is about movement and broad views rather than a guided explanation of every building.

The harbor section can also be the liveliest part of the ride. One participant specifically found the rough water around the harbor exciting, but that same condition may feel demanding if you are new to jet skiing or easily affected by motion. Hold your position, follow the instructor’s pace, and do not treat the route as a chance to race away from the group.

This is one reason the guide matters. The activity is not simply a rental with a return time. You ride behind an experienced instructor, with a safety boat present, and the route is managed as a group outing.

St. Thomas Bay and the Marsaskala coast

Farther south, the route passes St. Thomas Bay in Marsaskala. From the water, the bay gives the ride a different feel from the urban waterfront near St. Julian’s. The coast becomes more open, and the emphasis shifts toward sea views, rocky shorelines, and the sense of covering real distance.

Do not expect a long stop here unless the guide’s running conditions allow for it. The stated duration is only 90 minutes, and the route continues toward Delimara. The value is in seeing several parts of Malta’s southern coast in one compact ride, not in spending a full afternoon at a single bay.

If you are comparing this with a beach day, the tradeoff is clear. You get movement and access to viewpoints that are hard to reach from land, but you do not get much time for swimming or sitting on the shore.

Delimara and the paired bays of il-Ħofriet

The southern section around Delimara is the most scenic part of the route. The jet ski passes il-Ħofriet, described as two of the south’s most beautiful bays, connected by a natural passage cut through the cliffs by erosion.

That natural gap gives the ride a strong sense of place. You are not simply looping around a marked section of sea near the resort. You are following a coastal route shaped by rock, water, and time, with the cliffs and bays changing as you move past them.

The route’s pace means you should keep your eyes up when conditions permit. A jet ski encourages you to focus on steering and speed, but the southern coast is the reason to choose this particular safari over a shorter local ride. You will want to balance the thrill of the machine with a few moments spent looking toward the shore.

There is no food or drink included, and the activity finishes back at St. Julian’s at roughly 11:30 AM. Have breakfast before you arrive, and plan to carry your own water if needed, subject to the operator’s rules. This is a short, active morning rather than a catered boat excursion.

What $241 buys you

At $241 per person, the experience sits firmly in the premium activity bracket. The cost makes more sense if you place value on having your own jet ski, a guided southern route, fuel, life jackets, insurance, an instructor, and a support boat. The small maximum group size also helps keep the outing more personal and easier to manage.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick burst of speed near St. Julian’s. You are paying for the longer route and the staff and safety arrangements around it, not just for access to a machine.

The activity received a top overall rating from the limited feedback available. One booking from the United Kingdom described the outing with guide Harry as energetic and fun, and rated it among the best jet ski trips the rider had experienced in several countries. Another booking from the United States said the group had a great time even with rough water near the harbor.

Those details point to the strongest part of the experience: the combination of an upbeat guide and a route that feels like an actual coastal expedition. They also confirm the main caveat. Water conditions can affect the ride, and rough seas are not a minor detail for someone with motion sickness or limited confidence.

Who should book this morning adventure

I would choose this for an adult who wants an active Malta experience and is comfortable being exposed to sun, spray, wind, and changing sea conditions. It works especially well for couples, siblings, and friends who want to ride side by side or in the same small group.

The experience is also a practical choice if your schedule is tight. Departure is in the morning, and you are back around 11:30 AM, leaving the rest of the day open. You can combine it with a later city visit, meal, or beach plan, though you should allow yourself time to dry off and change.

This is not suitable for children under 18, pregnant women, non-swimmers, wheelchair users, or people with mobility, back, or heart problems. The operator also excludes people over 65 and people weighing more than 287 pounds, or 130 kilograms. Drivers must be at least 18. If motion sickness is a concern, choose a calmer activity instead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The cash deposit is separate, so do not confuse flexible booking with a completely cash-free arrival.

Practical verdict: thrilling, scenic, and costly

I would book this if you want Malta’s southern coast viewed at speed, and if the price fits your budget. The route is more interesting than a simple harbor ride, the group is small, and the support boat and instructor add useful reassurance.

I would skip it if you want a gentle cruise, have health or mobility concerns, dislike rough water, or are counting every euro. Bring your ID, arrive early, carry the €100 cash deposit, and wear proper footwear. For the right adult rider, this is a memorable way to connect St. Julian’s with Malta’s dramatic south in a single, high-energy morning.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski safari leave from?

It leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s. Use the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

How long does the activity last?

The jet ski safari lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. The stated morning departure is 10:00 AM, with a return to the St. Julian’s base at about 11:30 AM.

What places does the route pass?

The route includes Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay in Marsaskala, Delimara, and the two bays of il-Ħofriet.

Does each person get a jet ski?

Yes. The activity includes one jet ski per person.

Is an instructor included?

Yes. A professional, experienced English-speaking instructor leads the group.

Is a safety boat present?

Yes. A safety boat remains present throughout the activity.

How much is the security deposit?

A refundable deposit of €100 is required for each jet ski. It must be paid in cash at the base, since credit and debit cards are not accepted for the deposit.

What identification do I need?

Drivers must present a valid legal identification document, such as a passport or identity card. If you do not provide the required document, you can lose the trip without a refund.

What is the minimum age?

Participants and drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.